Everything you need to know about 'Death Note: The Musical'

Frank Wildhorn's musical version of the classic manga plays at the Barbican this summer.

Summary

• Frank Wildhorn's Death Note: The Musical plays at the Barbican from 30 July to 12 September 2026
• The show is based on a popular manga
• The musical has been performed in Japan; South Korea; Russia and Brazil
• The show was first seen in London in concert form in 2023

Manga and musical theatre – what a marvellous mix! This summer, a new production of Death Note: The Musical comes to the Barbican for a strictly limited run of 50 performances.

One of the most popular and influential manga franchises ever created, Death Note has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and has spawned countless adaptations and spinoffs. American composer Frank Wildhorn’s musical version premiered in Japan in 2015, and has also been performed in South Korea, Russia, Brazil, and in London in concert form at the London Palladium and the Lyric Theatre in 2023.

This full-scale production of Death Note: The Musical is directed by Stephen Whitson and is choreographed by Fabian Aloise, known for his pulsating work on Evita and Sunset Boulevard. Whether you’re a dedicated manga fan or curious to find out more, don’t miss one of the most thrilling shows of the summer.

Book Death Note: The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

What is manga?

Manga is a style of Japanese comic strips and graphic novels. The word comes from the characters “man” meaning “whimsical” and “ga” meaning “pictures”. The form includes stories from all genres, including mystery, adventure, romance, and fantasy. It has millions of fans of all age groups and is widely read worldwide.

What is Death Note: The Musical about?

Death Note: The Musical is about Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student, who finds a notebook belonging to Ryuk, a demon who kills humans by writing their names down. The son of a senior police officer who is frustrated by how the law fails to punish wrongdoers, Light embarks on a killing spree, in which he puts down the names of high-profile criminals in order to create a utopian world that’s free from crime. A detective, known as L, sets out to track him down. The suspenseful show, with its pop-rock score and cat-and-mouse plot, explores themes of crime, punishment, power, and justice.

What is the history of the Death Note franchise?

Death Note originated as a manga series by written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. It was first published in the manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from December 2003 to May 2006, and the book version has sold over 30 million copies to date.

The manga was the basis of an anime series in 2006-7 as well as a series of live action films. A live action TV series aired in 2016, and an Americanised Netflix film premiered in 2017. There have also been numerous albums and video games inspired by the manga, as well as the musical.

Who wrote Death Note: The Musical?

Death Note: The Musical features a score by the prolific Frank Wildhorn. Known for his historical and literary-inspired musicals, Wildhorn’s Broadway shows include Jekyll and Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Civil War, Dracula, Bonnie & Clyde, and Wonderland. He has been Tony-nominated for Best Original Score twice. His work is especially popular in East Asia, where many of his shows have premiered and enjoyed long runs. His work is characterised by its use of power ballads.

The lyrics are by Jack Murphy, who has collaborated with Wildhorn on numerous occasions, including The Civil War and Wonderland. The book is by Ivan Menchell, who provided the same service for Bonnie & Clyde.

What is the production history of Death Note: The Musical?

Death Note: The Musical was first workshopped in 2014 and a concept album was recorded later in the year with Jeremy Jordan as Light. The show premiered in April 2015 at the Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, and a Korean production ran in Seoul that summer, where the show returned in 2017 and 2022. The show also toured Japan in 2020 and 2025. It was also performed in Moscow in 2021 and Rio de Janeiro in 2022.

In August 2023, the show received its English-language premiere in concert form at the London Palladium starring Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Light, Dean John-Wilson as L, and Adam Pascal as Ryuk. It was so popular that it transferred to the Lyric Theatre for four nights that September, with George Maguire joining the cast as Ryuk. The concert production was directed and choreographed by Nick Winston.

Where is Death Note: The Musical being performed?

Death Note: The Musical will be performed at the Barbican Theatre (located in the Barbican Centre). The auditorium accommodates approximately 1,150 audience members and all seats are within 20 metres of the stage. The Royal Shakespeare Company regularly performs at the Barbican, and Death Note: The Musical will be the second musical to be presented in summer 2026, with Cole Porter’s High Society being performed from 19 May to 11 July.

When is Death Note: The Musical being performed?

Death Note: The Musical plays for a limited run of 50 performances from 30 July to 12 September. Performances take place from Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm with matinees at 2:30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.

How long is Death Note: The Musical?

Death Note: The Musical is 2 hours 20 minutes long, including interval.

Who is in the cast of Death Note: The Musical?

Xander Pang (MacBeth, Beyond Paradise) will play the show's protagonist ‘Light’ and Colin Ryan (Hamlet, My Brilliant Friend, The Lightning Child) will star as mysterious consulting detective ‘L’.

Who is in the Death Note: The Musical creative team?

Death Note: The Musical is directed by Stephen Whitson, who is associate director of the West End productions of Hamilton and Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The production features choreography by Fabian Aloise (Evita, Sunset Boulevard), set design by Jon Bausor (Spirited Away, 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony), and arrangements and orchestrations by Jason Howland (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Great Gatsby).

What songs are in Death Note: The Musical?

The score of Death Note: The Musical comprises the following songs:

Act I

"Overture" — Company "Where is the Justice?" — Light, Teacher, Students "They're Only Human" — Ryuk, Rem "Change the World" — Light, Company "Hurricane" — Light "Kira" — Ryuk, Company "I'm Ready" — Misa, Backup Singers "We All Need a Hero" — Sayu, Misa "The Game Begins" — L "There Are Lines" — Soichiro, Light "Secrets and Lies" — L, Soichiro, Light "Hurricane (Reprise)" — Light "Change the World (Reprise)" — Cops "Where is the Justice? (Reprise)" — Light, L, Misa, Company

Act II

"Where is the Justice? (Reprise 2)" — Company "Mortals and Fools" — Misa, Rem "Stalemate" — L, Light, Misa, Company "I'll Only Love You More" — Misa, Sayu "The Way Things Are" — L "Where is the Justice? (Reprise 3)" — Civilians "Mortals and Fools (Reprise)" — Rem, Ryuk "Honor Bound" — Soichiro "Playing His Game" — L, Light "Playing His Game (Reprise)" — Light "Borrowed Time" — Misa "When Love Comes" — Rem "The Way Things Are (Reprise)" — L "The Way It Ends" — L, Light "Hurricane (Reprise 2)" — Light "Requiem" — Company

Who are the characters in Death Note: The Musical?

Death Note: The Musical features the following cast of characters:

• Light: The protagonist, a gifted teenager determined to rid the world of crime.
• L: The antagonist, a detective with unorthodox methods.
• Ryuk: A demon and the creator of the Death Note notebook.
• Rem: Ryuk’s fellow demon of death.
• Misa: A famous pop star.
• Soichiro: Light's father, the chief of police.
• Sayu: Light’s younger sister.

What are some fun facts about Death Note: The Musical?

• Frank Wildhorn hadn’t heard of Death Note when he was first encouraged to turn it into a musical, and he did so due to his son’s enthusiasm for the material.
• The other most successful manga-inspired musical to date is Your Lie in April, which also features music by Wildhorn. The show received a concert staging at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in April 2024 and a full production at the Harold Pinter Theatre that summer. Wildhorn has also adapted the manga Fist of the North Star, which premiered in Tokyo in 2021.
• The identity of Tsugumi Ohba, author of the Death Note manga, remains a secret. They reunited with illustrator Takeshi Obata on the projects Baukman and Platinum End.
• If you’re interested in Death Note: The Musical, it’s very likely you’ll also enjoy Beetlejuice, the musical version of the Tim Burton movie. Both feature misfit teenagers, chaotic demons, and all sorts of supernatural turmoil!

Book Death Note: The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Photo: Death Note artwork (courtesy of production)